Eyes Down! Social Media… every day 24/7/365! But is it worth it? Hell Yeah

So far (and I mean so far, as I have absolutely no intention of changing) most of us reading this will spend an average of 2 – 5 hours each today embroiled in looking at our tweetdeck columns, iphone social media apps, favourite blogs, You tube links and/or leaving comments and thoughts across the world wide web.

And the reason we do this is what exactly?

My bet is that almost of all you have questioned at some point the amount of time we spend engrossed and involved in this social media revolution, but we’ve found at least three things we take from each and every day.

3 key reasons

1. Knowledge/engagement

2. Relationships/community (friendships and business)

3. Sense of involvement/importance

… which ultimately has led to a Return On Investment. Yes, you read it correctly; ‘ROI’!!! You wake up each morning, power up the PC or Mac, pour the coffee and social media yourself up because you’re getting exactly what you came for. Last time I checked it was called ‘Show business’ and not ‘Showtime’. The point being that when I present any seminars or events, or meet up and discuss this with everyone, conversations prove we’re all showing a return for our time, with investment being shown by organisations or clients or each other (It’s that ROI again). Some of that Return is from advice, support and friendship but I definitely feel part of a community and one I can join in and share with.

We may well be spending some of our time talking to each other, sharing our thoughts & stories, and re-tweeting each other – but it works! You are my brand advocates, my champions and my key influencers. It is through each other we listen,  find out the information, obtain the knowledge, forge the relationships and get involved. The same processes we recommend to groups and business relationships. If brands/organisations engaged, shared & learned from their own communities then they would be as rewarded as I and many of you are.

In the Early Days

I spent my early days simply listening and observing how the crowds worked; how things played out in the SM revolution. My social media teenage years include moments of [business] conversation, learning from my peers and making sure that when it came to being a man I was ready to walk out into the world alone.

Once I was ready to step out and join the revolution I did so with all my heart and soul.

I found hard working, friendly, helpful, fun, intelligent, thoughtful individuals but above all a group with innovative, creative and resourceful minds. I could build a list with over a hundred names which would include people I never knew a year ago; people who I now engage with for business and who are also now friends, in some cases colleagues.

Why?

The point, and the reason I mention how my/our social media world works, is because if each client or prospect followed the same path to social media adulthood, with us for support, then they would also find their return on investment. Only then will this really show a notable change in how organisations communicate with their audience. Of course for companies ROI will mean more money back than spent or even ‘key performance indicators’ (KPI’s) being met. Through integrating social media into a marketing & communications strategy we all know that positive results are more than achievable.

We’re now in a position to take this knowledge, creativity and expertise (another word many are unsure whether to use) to help any who want to join in with social media and take their brands/services & products to engage with an audience & community. You already know the relevant community/group is communicating with each other. It simply needs you to take the organisation into it and share, learn, engage and collaborate with it.

What do you think?